Cerro Rico: a perilous journey to the world capital of silver. Photo

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Серро-Рико: рискованное путешествие в мировую столицу серебра. ФотоDue to the very dangerous working conditions of Cerro Rico was nicknamed “the mountain that eats men.”

High in the Andes, in the southwest of Bolivia, on the Potosi — one of the highest cities in the world, rises the conical peak of Cerro Rico — “rich mountain”.

The name was given by Spanish colonists for the huge amount of silver that was found in the mountain. The Spaniards thought that the whole mountain consisted of silver ore.

In 1545 at the foot of Cerro Rico there was a small mining town, and about 3 million local residents were forced to work in the mines. Hundreds of thousands of workers died from accidents or from overwork, starvation and disease. Almost five centuries after the time of the Spanish oppression it has long gone, but the conditions of work deep in the bowels of mountains, apparently little has changed.

Серро-Рико: рискованное путешествие в мировую столицу серебра. Фото

Dozens of men and young boys continue to die in mine collapses and safety violations. Centuries-old silver mines penetrated the mountain thousands of holes and tunnels and there is a serious risk that the whole mountain will collapse. Indeed, the mountain has decreased in height by several hundred meters due to excessive production during the Spanish monarchy.

Серро-Рико: рискованное путешествие в мировую столицу серебра. Фото

According to historian Eduardo Galeano, an estimated 8 million people have died in the Cerro Rico since the 16th century, although scientists believe that this figure is exaggerated and includes all the people who left the region around the mines, not just those who died working in the mine. While it may be hard to tell how many people actually died in the mountain, the mountain Cerro Rico has earned the nickname “the Mountain that eats people”.

Серро-Рико: рискованное путешествие в мировую столицу серебра. Фото

While many die from accidents, the greatest number of people suffered from silicosis, a lung disease caused by dust inhalation. As a rule, in modern mines, the dust is removed a continuous stream of water directed from the drill tip. However, this modern mining technique is not used in the mines of Cerro Rico. Here, the dust is distributed down the shaft, where it is inhaled into the lungs of miners. Once in the lungs, the dust deposited and causes scarring of lung tissues that is accompanied by chronic bronchitis, chest pain, weight loss, weakness and eventually death. Very few live up to forty years. According to local associations of widows, 14 women lose their husbands each month.

Серро-Рико: рискованное путешествие в мировую столицу серебра. Фото

Today, silver coins are no longer produced in such quantities as it was in the 18th century. Potosi is currently experiencing slow economic.

Серро-Рико: рискованное путешествие в мировую столицу серебра. Фото

Located at an altitude of 4090 meters, Potosi is one of the highest cities in the world.

Серро-Рико: рискованное путешествие в мировую столицу серебра. Фото
Серро-Рико: рискованное путешествие в мировую столицу серебра. Фото
Серро-Рико: рискованное путешествие в мировую столицу серебра. Фото
Серро-Рико: рискованное путешествие в мировую столицу серебра. Фото

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